Chvilevaite is an extremely rare sodium-bearing copper sulfide mineral primarily found in hydrothermal ore deposits. Collectors typically encounter it as small, bronzeish metallic grains associated with other sulfide minerals like sphalerite and galena.

Hardness

3.5-4

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Light yellow

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrare

Chvilevaite

Hardness: 3.5-4
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Light yellow
Transparency: Opaque

No image

Is this chvilevaite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch chvilevaite with a known reference. Chvilevaite sits at Mohs 3.5-4, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: light yellow.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: bronze, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: granular aggregates, irregular grains.

Often confused with

Chvilevaite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Chalcopyrite

Mohs 3.5-4

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Chvilevaite leaves light yellow, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish black.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Chvilevaite leaves light yellow, Cubanite leaves black.

Compare →

Often found alongside chvilevaite

Minerals reported to co-occur with chvilevaite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Na(Cu,Fe,Zn)₂S₂
Mohs hardness: 3.5-4
Density: 3.94 g/cm³
Colors: Bronze Black
Streak: Light yellow
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Trigonal
Crystal habit: Granular aggregates, irregular grains
Cleavage: Perfect on {0001}
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector
Host rock: Of hydrothermal origin

Where rockhounds find chvilevaite

Classic worldwide localities

Akatui Pb–Zn deposit, Akatui, eastern Transbaikal, Russia (type locality)

Field-hunting tip

Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin. If you start seeing sphalerite, covellite, chalcocite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: granular aggregates, irregular grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify chvilevaite?+

Mohs hardness is 3.5-4. Luster: metallic. The streak is light yellow. Common colors include bronze, black.

Where is chvilevaite found?+

Notable localities include Akatui Pb–Zn deposit, Akatui, eastern Transbaikal, Russia (type locality).

Is chvilevaite safe to handle?+

Chvilevaite contains copper. Contains copper and sulfide components; avoid dust inhalation and wash hands thoroughly after handling.

What rocks look like chvilevaite?+

Chvilevaite is most often confused with Chalcopyrite, Cubanite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with chvilevaite?+

Chvilevaite commonly co-occurs with Sphalerite, Covellite, Chalcocite, Galena, Pyrite, Boulangerite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does chvilevaite form in?+

Where it forms: Of hydrothermal origin. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is chvilevaite used for?+

Chvilevaite is used in collector.

Find chvilevaite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.